Letter from the Editor

With all the hue and cry finally over and the dust settling on one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in this country, the IX Asiad is finally a reality.

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AROON PURIE

August 1, 2013

ISSUE DATE: November 30, 1982

UPDATED: September 11, 2014 13:30 IST

With all the hue and cry finally over and the dust settling on one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in this country, the IX Asiad is finally a reality. There is no denying the immense effort that has gone into preparing for the Games, both for those who will take part and those who have been responsible for getting the Games facilities ready on time.

In a similar fashion, it has also been a time for preparation, albeit on a far lesser scale, for the media. With 4,000 Indian and visiting journalists and cameramen on the scene, the 15-day sports extravaganza promises to be the media event of the year.

At India Today, which has written frequently on the preparations for the Games, including a cover story earlier this year (June 30), preparations started with basic research into past Games results, the programme for IX Asiad and a careful scrutiny of India's and other countries medal hopes.

Shuttling between Patiala and Delhi, Picture Editor Raghu Rai and photographers Bhawan Singh and Prajviod Pushkarna snapped the training for the Games as well as the Trial Games held in September. Photo Researcher Anjali Puri called upon her extensive contacts in the photographers' fraternity to ensure that the widest possible picture selection was available on tap.

She also hounded the various Asian embassies for information and photographs of their top stars coming for the Games. The same six-member team of cameramen and writers will over the next, fortnight be keeping track of the most spectacular sporting event yet to be seen in this country.

Ordinarily, India Today runs few question and answer interviews, normally no more than an interview of the fortnight. This is because news stories, even if they are based exclusively on an interview, permit the writer to put perspective into whatever is being said.

Few are the subjects who by the clarity of their argument, the spontaneity of their response or the embrace of their knowledge compel attention to their every word. In this issue, however, India Today interviews two heads of government and one visiting cricketer, people who in their own way have something off beat, authoritative or controversial to say.

Prime Minister Indira Gandhi talks about a subject she hardly ever touches: herself as a woman, mother and human being. In another interview, French President Francois Mitterrand, who is scheduled to visit India this fortnight, responded to questions put to him in Paris in his first interview with the Indian media.

And, Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan, visiting Delhi on a short holiday last fortnight, spoke about the forthcoming Indian tour of Pakistan which starts later this month.

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